Diminished House Dems Still Standing With Pelosi

Democrats awoke Wednesday to the news that Republicans had flipped 15 House seats, expanding their House majority to its largest level since the 1940s.

But despite the Democrats' dismal showing for a second consecutive midterm election, they show no signs of abandoning Nancy Pelosi as their leader.

“I hear the rumors, you know, that she’ll prevail in this election easily but then turn it over to her daughter. [But] she never told me that, and until she does I don’t have any real reason to believe it,” Virginia Democrat Jim Moran told The Hill before the election.

Even before all the full breadth of the Democrat drubbing was clear, Pelosi issued a statement declaring her intention to remain in her leadership post.

"To succeed, we must inspire, educate and remove obstacles to participation. Only by changing our political environment and broadening the universe of the electorate can we build a strong sense of community and an economy that works for everyone," Pelosi said Tuesday evening, according to Politico.

"This basic and even non-partisan challenge, which many of you told me you share, have convinced me to place my name in nomination for Leader when our Caucus meets."

The only real demand for accountability came from consumer advocate and former Green Party presidential candidate Ralph Nader, who called on Pelosi and other Democratic leaders to step down before Election Day.

Nader wrote in a statement that Pelosi, Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, and Steve Israel, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), should "step down from their posts and invite fresh leadership who can save the country from the ravages of today’s Republican Party," reports The Hill.

His displeasure with the Democrats faded quickly.

Although their losses were greater than anticipated, Nader reached out to Democrats in a letter he sent to Pelosi and current Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid urging them to "uniformly and exuberantly push for a minimum wage raise in the upcoming Congressional work session."

One reason Pelosi may have job security is her prolific fundraising abilities.

As of the latest campaign finance reports, Pelosi had raised $101.3 million this cycle and $428.8 million since 2002, when she was elected to the Democratic leadership, reports The San Francisco Chronicle.

A large portion of the money — $65.2 million — was directed to the DCCC, the campaign arm of House Democrats, the Chronicle said.

The elections did result in one casualty: Israel announced he would not lead the DCCC for a third time, according to Newsday.

Although Democrats awoke Wednesday to the news that Republicans had flipped as many as 15 House seats, expanding their House majority to its largest level since the 1940s, they're still supporting Nancy Pelosi as leader.